Bolt assembly and firing valve

ABSTRACT

A bolt assembly for a pneumatic paintball gun preferably includes a bolt front, a firing valve, and a bolt back. The bolt back preferably includes a valve chamber and a pneumatic passage connecting the valve chamber to an input/output port. The bolt front is preferably connected to a forward end of the bolt back in communication with the valve chamber. The firing valve is preferably arranged in the valve chamber. A plurality of bolt ports can be arranged in the bolt back in fluid communication with the valve chamber to transfer compressed gas to and from a compressed gas storage chamber. In a forward position, compressed gas can be supplied to a rearward portion of the valve chamber from the input/output port through the pneumatic passage. The firing valve can be biased forward by the pneumatic pressure and be seated within a valve seat formed in a rearward end of the valve front. The pneumatic pressure preferably further deforms an edge of the firing valve and fills the compressed gas storage chamber. In a rearward position, compressed gas is preferably vented from the rearward portion of the valve chamber through the input/output port. The firing valve is preferably driven rearward by the compressed gas in the compressed gas storage chamber and unseated from the valve front. Compressed gas is thereby permitted to escape through the bolt front and fire a paintball from the paintball gun. The rearward end of the firing valve can preferably seat in the rearward portion of the firing valve chamber to plug the pneumatic passage and prevent compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area from escaping through the input/output port.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/780,564, filed Mar. 8, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to pneumatic guns, such as paintball guns (“markers”), and their operating components. More particularly, this invention relates to pneumatic components used to load a projectile into and fire the projectile from a pneumatic gun.

2. Related Art

In the sport of paintball, it is generally desirable to have a marker that is as small and light as possible. Smaller and lighter markers increase a player's mobility. Players benefit from increased mobility by being able to move more quickly from bunker to bunker, making it easier to avoid being hit. Further, in paintball, the marker is treated as an extension of the body such that a hit to the marker counts as a hit to the player. It is desirable, therefore, to have a paintball gun with as small a profile as possible while maintaining or improving the performance of the marker, such as firing rate, accuracy, and gas efficiency. The size of the paintball gun is generally related to the size and number of operating components that must be housed within the paintball gun body.

It is further desirable to have a paintball marker (or other pneumatic gun) that includes fewer, less complex, and less expensive operating components, and which can be more easily manufactured. The cost savings can then be passed on to the consumer. The industry is in need of a small, light, and inexpensive paintball marker (or other pneumatic gun) that provides reliable and efficient operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment incorporating principles of the present invention, a pneumatic housing of a paintball gun preferably houses a bolt and firing valve assembly therein. The pneumatic housing can include a compressed gas storage area and a plurality of ports. The bolt and firing valve assembly is preferably slidably arranged within the pneumatic housing. A bolt assembly preferably includes a bolt front and a firing valve chamber arranged in a bolt back to house a firing valve. A plurality of ports and passageways can be arranged through the bolt assembly.

More particularly, the bolt back preferably includes a pneumatic passageway that conveys compressed gas between the valve chamber and a compressed gas input/output port. With the bolt assembly in a rearward (loading) position, the gas input/output port is preferably arranged to receive a supply of compressed gas from a supply port in the pneumatic housing. The pneumatic passageway communicates the compressed gas from the input/output port to the valve chamber. A plurality of bolt ports are preferably arranged through a sidewall of the bolt back in communication with the valve chamber to convey compressed gas from the valve chamber into a compressed gas storage chamber (area).

The bolt front preferably has a hollow passageway (firing port) formed through the bolt front to convey compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area through the firing valve chamber and into a breech of the paintball gun to launch a paintball during a firing operation. A rearward end of the bolt front preferably connects to a forward end of the bolt back, such as through a threaded or other secure engagement. The rearward end of the bolt front is preferably received in the valve chamber of the bolt back and preferably includes a valve seat. The firing valve is preferably arranged in the valve chamber proximal to the valve seat.

The firing valve is preferably formed of rubber or other resilient material that provides some rigidity but also some degree of flexibility and also provides an adequate gas seal. More particularly, when filling the compressed gas storage chamber, a center portion of the firing valve preferably seats within the valve seat of the bolt front in a sealing relationship to seal off the firing port. An edge of the firing valve preferably extends beyond the side of the rearward end of the bolt front. The edge of the firing valve is preferably readily deformable in one direction such that compressed gas supplied to the valve chamber behind the firing valve will deform the edge of the valve toward the rearward end of the bolt front and permit the compressed gas to flow past the firing valve, through the bolt ports, and into the compressed gas storage chamber.

When the bolt assembly is arranged in a forward (firing) position, however, the gas input/output port of the bolt back is preferably arranged in communication with a vent to exhaust the compressed gas from the valve chamber behind the firing valve. When the compressed gas behind the valve is exhausted, the compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber engages the edge of the firing valve to push the valve rearward. As the valve moves rearward, it is unseated from its sealing relationship with the valve seat of the bolt front and compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber is permitted to exit the bolt assembly and paintball gun through the firing port in the bolt front. Meanwhile, a rearward end of the firing valve is preferably arranged to seat in the back of the firing valve chamber in a sealing relationship within an opening to the pneumatic passageway to prevent compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber from exiting through the input/output port.

The bolt may further include a pneumatic piston arranged as part of the bolt itself, or as a separate mechanism connected to the bolt. Compressed gas is preferably selectively supplied and vented from piston surface areas through a mechanical or electro-pneumatic valving mechanism to move the bolt between its forward and rearward positions.

Various other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of this invention are also possible without departing from the principles disclosed herein. This invention is therefore not limited to any of the particular aspects, embodiments, or configurations described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a bolt assembly and firing valve arranged in a pneumatic housing, such as a paintball gun body, according to one embodiment incorporating principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the bolt assembly and firing valve of FIG. 1, shown with the bolt in an rearward (e.g., open or loading) position;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the bolt assembly and firing valve of FIG. 1, shown with the bolt disposed in a forward (e.g., closed) position with a firing valve in a non-firing position;

FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of the bolt assembly and firing valve of FIG. 1, shown with the firing valve in a open (e.g., firing) position;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the firing valve of the bolt and firing valve assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintball gun body having a firing valve constructed according to an alternative embodiment incorporating principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-4 are cross-sectional views of a bolt and firing valve assembly 20 arranged in a pneumatic housing 12 in a paintball gun body 10, illustrating various principles of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view with the bolt 22 in an open (loading) position to permit loading of a paintball (not shown) into the paintball gun 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view also showing the bolt 22 in an open position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view similar to FIG. 2, but with the bolt 22 shown in a closed position and with the firing valve 24 shown in a non-firing (closed) position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view similar to FIG. 3, again showing the bolt 22 in a closed position, but with the firing valve 24 in a firing (open) position. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the firing valve 24.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a pneumatic paintball gun (or other pneumatic gun) 10 can include a pneumatic housing 12 and a bolt and firing valve assembly 20. The bolt and firing valve assembly 20 can be arranged within the pneumatic housing 12 in a sliding relationship. The pneumatic housing 12 can include a compressed gas storage area (chamber) 14 and a plurality of ports 16, 18. The bolt and firing valve assembly 20 preferably includes a bolt 22 having a bolt front 22 a and a bolt back 22 b, with a firing valve 24 arranged in a firing valve chamber 25. A plurality of ports and passageways 26, 28 can also be arranged inside the bolt and firing valve assembly 20 to direct a flow of compressed gas within the assembly 20. A plurality of o-rings 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d, 19 e are preferably provided in the pneumatic housing 12 to help direct the flow of compressed gas into the appropriate areas and prevent compressed gas from flowing into other undesired areas.

The bolt back 22 b preferably includes a valve chamber 25 arranged in a forward portion 22 c of the bolt back 22 b. A pneumatic passageway 26 can, for instance, be formed as a longitudinal passage through the bolt back and preferably conveys compressed gas between the valve chamber 25 and a compressed gas input/output port 28. With the bolt 22 in a rearward position, the gas input/output port 28 is preferably arranged to receive a supply of compressed gas from a supply port 18 in the pneumatic housing 12. A plurality of bolt ports 29 can be arranged through a sidewall of the bolt back 22 b to communicate compressed gas from the valve chamber to the compressed gas storage area 14.

The bolt front 22 a preferably comprises a substantially cylindrical member having a hollow passageway formed longitudinally through the bolt front 22 a to provide a firing port 23. A rearward portion 22 d of the bolt front 22 a preferably connects to a forward portion 22 c of the bolt back 22 b, such as through a threaded engagement. The rearward portion 22 d of the bolt front 22 a is preferably received in the valve chamber 25 of the bolt back 22 b and has an opening 22 e providing a valve seat. The firing valve 24 is preferably arranged in the valve chamber 25 proximal to the valve seat 22 e.

The firing valve 24 is preferably formed of rubber or some other resilient material that provides sufficient rigidity while also providing flexibility where desired. More particularly, when the bolt and firing valve assembly 20 is arranged in a rearward position in the pneumatic housing 12, a seal 24 c arranged on center portion of a forward facing side 24 a of the firing valve 24 preferably seats within the valve seat 22 e and seals off the firing port 23. An edge 24 e of the firing valve 24 preferably extends beyond the side of the rearward end 22 d of the bolt front 22 a.

The edge 24 e of the firing valve 24 is preferably deformable in one direction such that compressed gas supplied to the valve chamber 25 behind the firing valve 24 can deform the edge 24 e of the valve 24 around the rearward end 22 d of the bolt front 22 a and permit the compressed gas to flow past the firing valve 24, through the bolt ports 29, and into the compressed gas storage chamber 14. The firing valve 24 preferably prevents the flow of compressed gas in the opposite direction from the compressed gas storage area 14 into the passageway 26. Of course, other unidirectional valving mechanisms could also be used to permit the flow of compressed gas from the input/output port 28 into the compressed gas storage area 14 while preventing the flow of compressed gas in the opposite direction.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the bolt and firing valve assembly 20 is arranged in a forward position, the input/output port 28 of the bolt back 22 b is preferably arranged in communication with a vent 16 to exhaust the compressed gas from the valve chamber 25 behind the firing valve 24. When the compressed gas behind the valve 24 is exhausted, the compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber 14 engages the edge 24 e of the firing valve 24 and pushes the valve 24 rearward. As the valve 24 moves rearward, it is unseated from the valve seat 22 e of the bolt front 22 a and compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber 14 is permitted to exit the paintball gun 10 through the firing port 23 in the bolt front 22 a. Meanwhile, a seal 24 d on the rearward side 24 b of the firing valve is preferably arranged in the rearward portion of the firing valve chamber 25 to seat within and seal off an opening 26 a to the pneumatic passageway 26 to prevent compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber 14 from exiting through the input/output port 28.

The bolt and firing valve assembly 20 may include a pneumatic piston (not shown) arranged as part of the bolt 22 itself, or as a separate mechanism connected to the bolt 22. Compressed gas can be selectively supplied to and vented from surface areas of the piston through a mechanical or electro-pneumatic valving mechanism (not shown) to move the bolt and firing valve assembly 20 between a forward and rearward position and thereby perform the loading and firing operations of the paintball gun 10. The valving mechanism can be a solenoid valve (such as a three-way solenoid valve), a mechanical valve, or other valving mechanism. In the case of a mechanical valve, the valve preferably communicates with the trigger to vent the compressed gas away from the forward bolt piston surface area in response to a trigger pull.

In the case of a solenoid valve, an electronic circuit is preferably provided to control the operation of the solenoid valve based on actuation of a trigger mechanism. A switch, such as a microswitch or other switching device, is preferably arranged in communication with the trigger to send an actuation signal to the electronic circuit in response to a pull of the trigger. A power source is also preferably provided to supply power to the electronic circuit and solenoid valve. The valving mechanism preferably vents compressed gas away from a forward bolt piston surface area in response to a firing signal from the circuit board.

In operation, compressed gas is preferably supplied to the paintball gun 10 from a compressed gas container (not shown) through a pressure regulator (also not shown). The compressed gas is preferably directed from the pressure regulator to the mechanical or electro-pneumatic valving mechanism and to a supply port 18 for feeding compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area 14. Compressed gas can be transferred through the valving mechanism to a forward surface area of the bolt piston to push the bolt and firing valve assembly 20 to a rearward position.

While the bolt 22 is in a rearward (open) position, a paintball (not shown) is allowed to load into a breech 15 of the paintball gun 10 from the feed tube 13. Referring specifically to FIG. 2, while the bolt 22 is rearward, the gas supply port 18 is preferably allowed to rapidly transmit compressed gas into the input/output port 28. More particularly, the gas supplied to the input/output port 28 is transmitted through the pneumatic passage 26 into the valve chamber 25. The compressed gas thereafter deforms the outer edge 24 e of the firing valve 24 to flow past the edge 24 e of the valve 24, through the bolt ports 29, and into compressed gas storage area 14.

A trigger mechanism (not shown) can be configured to operate the paintball gun 10 using the valving mechanism (also not shown). When the trigger is depressed, the valving mechanism preferably vents compressed gas away from the forward piston surface area of the bolt. Compressed gas is preferably applied to a rearward surface area of the bolt piston. In this embodiment, when the compressed gas is vented from the forward bolt piston surface area, the pressure applied to the rearward bolt piston surface area preferably causes the bolt and firing valve assembly 20 to move to a forward position, as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, when the bolt and firing valve assembly 20 is in its forward position, a sealing member 19 d arranged in the pneumatic housing 12 preferably prevents compressed gas from the supply port 18 from entering the input/output port 28. Instead, when the bolt 22 is arranged in its forward position, the input/output port 28 is preferably arranged in communication with an exhaust port 16 in the pneumatic housing 12 to vent compressed gas away from a rearward portion of the valve chamber 25. As the pressure applied to the rearward surface 24 b of the firing valve 24 is relieved, compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber 14 acting on the edge 24 e of the firing valve 24 forces it rearward in the valve chamber 25, as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, when the firing valve 24 is driven rearward, compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area 14 travels past a front surface 24 a of the firing valve 24. The compressed gas is thereby permitted to enter into and flow through the firing port 23 in the bolt front 22 a. In addition, with the bolt 22 arranged fully forward, one of the sealing members 19 a in the pneumatic housing engages a forward end 22 f of the bolt 22 to prevent compressed gas from the bolt 22 from entering the feed tube 13.

Also at this time, the rearward seal 24 d of the firing valve 24 is seated in the rearward portion of the valve chamber 25, blocking the opening of the pneumatic passageway 26 and preventing compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber 14 from entering the pneumatic passageway 26 and escaping through the now vented input/output port 28. Once the compressed gas storage area 14 has been exhausted through the bolt front 22 a to perform the firing operation of the paintball gun 10, the bolt and firing assembly 20 can be returned to its rearward position to load a paintball and recharge the compressed gas storage area 14, again as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the firing valve 24 of the bolt and firing valve assembly 20 of FIGS. 1-4. Referring specifically to FIG. 5, the firing valve can have a forward side 24 a with a center seal 24 c that selectively seals off a firing port of the bolt and firing valve assembly 20. In addition to providing a firing valve 24 for selectively releasing compressed gas from a paintball gun 10, the firing valve 24 can also provide a unidirectional valving mechanism for filling a compressed gas storage area. For instance, the valve 24 may be configured to permit compressed gas to flow forward past the edge 24 e of the valve toward a compressed gas storage area but substantially prevent the flow of compressed gas in the opposite direction past the valve 24. More specifically, a recessed area 24 f is preferably arranged between the center seal 24 c and the edge 24 e to permit flexing of the edge 24 e in the direction of the forward side 24 a. A rearward seal 24 d can be arranged on the rearward side 24 b of the firing valve to seal off a passageway 26 in the rearward portion of the valve chamber 25 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 6 is a somewhat schematic cross-sectional side view of a paintball gun body 100 having a firing valve 124 constructed according to principles of the present invention in an alternative embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, the firing valve 124 can be arranged in a lower portion 102 of the paintball gun 100, rather than as part of the bolt assembly (not shown). As in the previous embodiment, compressed gas is supplied to the compressed gas storage chamber 114 around an edge 124 e of the firing valve 124. Likewise, to activate the firing valve 124 and fire the paintball gun 100, compressed gas pressure is relieved from an opposing surface 124 b to permit the firing valve 124 to unseat itself from a valve seat 104 and permit compressed gas to enter the bolt (not shown) and fire the gun 100.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the present invention in various alternative embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. The scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims should therefore be interpreted according to the spirit of such principles and should not be limited to any particular embodiment or embodiments described herein. 

1. A bolt and firing valve assembly for a pneumatic device, comprising: a bolt assembly comprising a bolt having a firing port arranged through a forward end of the bolt; and a firing valve slidably arranged within a firing valve chamber in the bolt assembly and configured to prevent a flow of compressed gas into the firing port when the bolt is open and to permit a flow of compressed gas into the firing port when the bolt is closed.
 2. A pneumatic housing configured to slidably receive the bolt and firing valve assembly of claim
 1. 3. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an input/output port arranged in a rearward portion of the bolt assembly, wherein the input/output port receives compressed gas from a supply port and directs it to a firing valve chamber when the bolt is in an open position.
 4. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 3, wherein the firing valve is a pneumatically-operated firing valve configured to receive compressed gas from the input/output port to keep the firing valve closed when the bolt is open.
 5. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 4, wherein the input/output port is configured to vent compressed gas from the firing valve chamber when the bolt is in a closed position.
 6. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 5, wherein compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area acts on the pneumatically-operated firing valve to open the firing valve when the bolt is closed.
 7. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the firing valve comprises: a forward seal configured to prevent compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area from entering the firing port when the firing valve is in a closed position; and a rearward seal configured to block a supply of compressed gas into the compressed gas storage area when the firing valve is in an open position.
 8. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 7, wherein the firing valve further comprises a unidirectional flow mechanism to permit compressed gas to flow in one direction past the unidirectional flow mechanism and prevent compressed gas from flowing in an opposite direction.
 9. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein the unidirectional flow mechanism comprises a flexible edge of the firing valve configured to permit unidirectional flow of compressed gas past the edge toward the compressed gas storage area.
 10. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 9, wherein compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area acting on the flexible edge urges the firing valve toward the open position when a supply of compressed gas is removed from the rearward seal of the firing valve.
 11. A bolt and firing valve assembly for use in a pneumatic gun, comprising: a bolt having a bolt front and a bolt back, wherein a rearward portion of the bolt front is rigidly connected to a forward portion of the bolt back; a firing valve arranged in a firing valve chamber, wherein said firing valve chamber is arranged in the forward portion of the bolt back proximal to the rearward end of the bolt front; and a pneumatic passageway communicating compressed gas between the firing valve chamber and an input/output port of the bolt and firing valve assembly.
 12. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the firing valve is a pneumatically-operated firing valve, and wherein compressed gas in the firing valve chamber behind the firing valve urges the firing valve to a closed position when the bolt and firing valve assembly is in a first position.
 13. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 12, wherein compressed gas in the firing valve chamber behind the firing valve is vented when the bolt and firing valve assembly is in a second position, and wherein compressed gas from a compressed gas storage area operates on a forward portion of the firing valve to urge the firing valve rearward when the compressed gas behind the firing valve is vented.
 14. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein said firing valve is further configured to permit compressed gas to flow from the firing valve chamber into a compressed gas storage chamber when the firing valve chamber is pressurized.
 15. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein said firing valve comprises a first seal and a flexible outer edge, wherein the first seal is configured to sealingly engage the rearward portion of the bolt front to prevent compressed gas from entering the bolt front when the bolt and firing valve assembly is in a first position, and wherein the flexible outer edge permits a flow of compressed gas from the firing valve chamber into a compressed gas storage chamber when the firing valve chamber is pressurized.
 16. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 15, wherein said firing valve is configured to move rearward in response to compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber acting on a forward portion of the flexible outer edge when the firing valve chamber behind the firing valve is depressurized, and wherein compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber is permitted to exit through the bolt front when the firing valve moves rearward and the first seal disengages from its sealing engagement with the rearward portion of the bolt front.
 17. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 16, wherein said firing valve further comprises a second seal configured to seal off the pneumatic passageway to prevent compressed gas from the compressed gas storage chamber from escaping through the pneumatic passageway when the firing valve moves rearward to release compressed gas through the bolt front.
 18. A bolt and firing valve assembly for a pneumatic projectile launching device, said bolt and firing valve assembly comprising: a bolt assembly configured to slide between a rearward and a forward position in a projectile launching device to perform a loading operation of the projectile launching device; one or more internal pneumatic passageways formed within the bolt assembly and configured to permit the flow of compressed gas from a compressed gas source into a compressed gas storage area of the projectile launching device; and a firing valve arranged within an internal chamber in the bolt assembly, said firing valve configured to slide between a first and a second position within the internal chamber to prevent compressed gas from exiting the bolt assembly through a firing port when the firing valve is in the first position and to permit compressed gas to exit the bolt assembly through the firing port when the firing valve is in the second position.
 19. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 18, wherein the firing valve is a pneumatically-operated firing valve configured to receive a supply of compressed gas on a first end thereof to urge the firing valve to the first position, and further configured to receive a supply of compressed gas on a second end thereof to urge the firing valve to the second position when the supply of compressed gas to the first end thereof is removed.
 20. A bolt and firing valve assembly according to claim 19, wherein said firing valve comprises a unidirectional valving member that permits the flow of compressed gas from a supply port past the firing valve into the compressed gas storage area but prevents the flow of compressed gas from the compressed gas storage area to the supply port. 